New Mayor to focus on health and wellbeing

With the theme of 'Supporting health in our community', the new Mayor for 2019-20 is Cllr Richard Billington.

The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor were appointed at the mayor-making ceremony today.

During his mayoral year, Richard aims to raise awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing in our communities.

The Mayor says: "Our health is a precious commodity, but one that sometimes we could pay more attention to. With the advances in health care and screening, we are now better equipped than ever to take care of our health and wellbeing.

"I'll be working with health professionals and other partners to promote and encourage residents, businesses and the local community to take part in screening by supporting and participating in local screening events, for example, diabetes testing," adds the Mayor.

The Mayor's chosen charities for the year are the Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, supporting patients so they receive exceptional care, and the Prostate Project which aims to increase awareness and the need for early detection. Richard will also continue to support the Mayor of Guildford's Local Distress Fund.

"I really hope residents, businesses, and the local community will show their support for these three worthwhile causes by getting involved in fundraising events and activities."

Born and educated in Croydon, Richard has lived in the borough for 22 years. He was elected a Guildford Borough councillor for Tillingbourne ward in 2011. Richard became Lead Councillor for Community Safety and Health and more recently Lead Councillor for Rural Economy, Countryside, Parks and Leisure.

Richard was previously a councillor and an Honorary Alderman for the London Borough of Croydon. He also had several voluntary roles there, including chairman of the Croydon Police Community Committee. Now retired, he spent the last 15 years jointly owning a care home, looking after children with learning difficulties and autism.

Richard lives in Guildford with his wife Lynda. He enjoys travel, and walking his dogs in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The deputy mayor for 2019-20 is Cllr Marsha Moseley.

For more information about the Mayor of Guildford for 2019-20, please go to our Mayor's pages.